This 2011 American Craft Beer Week has been marked with many events around the DC area – some of which will carry on in the craft beer spirit all though SAVOR next month. While I appreciate the concept, I generally prefer to keep Craft Beer Week in my heart year round and avoided most of the official events. That did not mean, however, that I avoided drinking some truly lovely beer.

Baltimore-based but globally-travelling, Stillwater Ales has been making some of my favorite new beers recently. Jaded, brewed at De Struise Brouwers is the third edition in Stillwater’s “Import Series” and is, in a word, lovely.

Perfect for springtime, the Belgian Strong Dark Ale is brewed with malted wheat, rose petals, violets, and jasmine. The aroma is blossomy and floral – but elegant. We call things “chick beer” as a criticism: Cloying, unbalanced, unsophisticated, generally low in ABV. This is a beer with a distinctly feminine quality while being nobody’s “chick beer.” In years of being a woman while drinking, it may be the first thing about which I have been able to say that.

Offered on tap at ChurchKey, a snifter of the beer is a warm color with a delicate bit of foam. There is earthy sweetness to the flavor and, at 10%, the alcohol has body, but is by no means overwhelming. There is a saison-like quality, which plays well with the botanicals and works perfectly for this in-between season. At $12, Jaded is on the pricey side for a glass, but the sophistication and creativity that went into that glass makes it well worth the money.

Brittany Martin

Brittany has tried to leave DC, it just never lasts. She has lived in Chicago, California, and China – but she always comes back home. Brittany is a drinks, nightlife, and style correspondent for We Love DC. Between columns, you can find her on Twitter, Tumblr, or standing by the bar. Email her at brittany(at)welovedc.com.